My #1 concern is the impact on the downtown YMCA. There isn't enough parking in its own lot to accommodate demand, even during off-peak hours but especially between 5-7 pm, which would fall under meter time. (I don't even try parking in it myself, and just find a spot on the street.)

Parking in the Durham Center lot is officially forbidden but seems (for the moment) tolerated in practice after 5pm. However if the property owners decide to get serious about that (which seems likely if more people start using it to duck the meters) there is going to be a crunch. A lot of people use the Y (rather than other gyms) for budgetary reasons, and if you tack on $1.50-3.00 per visit that changes things rather dramatically. Not everyone lives within walking distance or has flexibility in their schedule.

Not to mention the potential impact on participation in youth programs, etc.

@David: the people who are prime age for absorbing pop music (i.e., much younger than me, and I assume, you as well) will absolutely remember Taylor and Justin in 50 years. And they will "remember" the Beatles in more or less the same terms I remember Glenn Miller.